This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances.

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You must keep special records when you inherit an asset as a beneficiary of the estate of a person who died on or after 20 September 1985. If the asset was acquired by the deceased person before 20 September 1985, you need to know the market value of the asset at the date of the person's death and the amount of any relevant costs incurred by the executor or trustee. This is the amount that the asset is taken to have cost you. If the executor or trustee has a valuation of the asset, get a copy of that valuation report. Otherwise you will need to get your own valuation.

If the asset you inherit was acquired by the deceased person on or after 20 September 1985, you need to know full details of all relevant costs incurred by the deceased person and by the executor or trustee. Get those details from the executor or trustee. Even if you inherit a house that was the family home of the deceased person, you need to keep records of costs paid by the deceased person in case you are not able to claim a full exemption for the house after you inherit it.

If, after 20 August 1996, you inherit a house that was the family home of the deceased and it was not regarded as being used to produce income at the time of death, you will be taken to have acquired the house at its market value at the date of death. If the executor or trustee has a valuation of the asset, get a copy of that valuation report. Otherwise you will need to get your own valuation. Make sure you keep details of any other costs you have paid out for the asset since the date you inherited it.

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